Here's a wide field showing globular cluster M15, planetary nebula NGC 7094 and for the first time visible a large [O III] zone of unknown nature around it.

In June 2024 we shot the globular cluster M15 to highlight the dust and Hα present in this area. Then out of habit at the end of the project we tested one night with an [O III] filter and a large area immediately appeared in the top left corner.

What an overwhelming feeling to capture something in a photo that nobody has ever seen before. Amateur astronomers make an important contribution to modern astronomical research thanks to their sheer numbers and the large number of nights at their disposal. 

However, it's a big job that's easier and more enjoyable when done as a team. Each member of our team brings his or her own specific and complementary expertise and skills to the other.

This discovery is the result of a research process, and thanks to a precise look, this hitherto unknown nebula has been discovered around NGC 7094.


The characteristics of this [O III] nebula

This is an extended structure with a dimension of 1x1.25°. 
The [O III] nebula appears rather diffuse, with two band-like structures to the east and west. As cosmic dust covers the structure, we can assume that the [O III] nebula lies behind it, but in front of the fine Hα emissions. The nebula is extremely faint and could only be made visible using special techniques. Without these techniques, the [O III] emissions would have little or no separation from the cosmic dust.



What is this structure made of?

The exact nature is unknown, but it is very likely that the central star of NGC 7094 is responsible for the ionization. It's possible that this is a planetary nebula halo, but this scenario is relatively unlikely. It is more plausible that this [O III] nebula is interstellar material photoionized by the white dwarf of NGC 7094.


The team nicknamed it Shenron Nebula because of its strong resemblance to Dragon Ball's famous sacred Dragon.




More on NGC 7094 :

What makes NGC 7094 particularly interesting are its complex internal structures, visible through powerful telescopes. Interactions between the different layers of gas expelled over time have formed spiral or loop patterns that offer astronomers clues to the processes of matter ejection and dynamic interactions at the end of stellar life. NGC 7094 gives us a fascinating insight into the end of a star's life and the spectacular transformations that result, reminding us of the fate that awaits our own Sun billions of years from now.




M15 :

The globular cluster M15 is a vast collection of ancient stars located some 33,600 light-years from Earth, in the constellation of Pegasus. Comprising several hundred thousand stars, M15 is one of the densest and oldest globular clusters in our Milky Way, with an estimated age of around 12 billion years. 

M15 is particularly notable for its extremely compact core, which is probably collapsing under its own gravity - a rare phenomenon, even among globular clusters. This density could indicate the presence of a massive object at its center, such as an intermediate-mass black hole or a concentration of neutron stars.

Interestingly, we were able to highlight an H-alpha filament in the foreground of the cluster using our processing techniques. 




A lot of galaxies :

This image also features a huge number of small galaxies visible in its high-resolution version.